Page 110 of Perfect Rhythm

“Glad you like it. That’s where we’re going.”

Skye shrugged and hopped in the car. “Works for me.”

I fired up the engine and sped out of the parking lot.

My head was spinning, constantly replaying Shade’s words.

Shit almost went left. Like, funeral arrangements left.

What the hell did that even mean?

A sharp pain bloomed in the center of my chest. Just theideaof Shade dying hurt like hell.

“Nyx, you good?” Skye asked, placing her hand on my shoulder.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“You sure? You look like you’re about to cry.”

I caught my reflection in the rearview mirror and froze, shocked by the bloodshot eyes that were staring back at me.

Sniffling, I shook away my thoughts and returned my gaze to the road. “I’m fine. Shade just told me some fucked up shit, that’s all.”

“What did he say?”

I took a deep breath, then blew it out slowly. “Apparently, him and Enzo bumped into each other at the studio and things got ugly.”

“Really? How ugly?”

“Ugly enough to imply that everyone in the studio almost died tonight.”

“Shit.” Skye leaned back. “It was that bad?”

“Yeah, it wasthatbad.”

Skye sighed. “Damn, that’s crazy. I mean, I know him and Enzo don’t fuck with each other, but I never knew it was like that. I wonder why.”

“I don’t know. But they need to figure it out. Shade can’t fucking die on me, especially not over some dumb ass industry beef.”

I squeezed the steering wheel tighter, attempting to tame my emotions.

I could feel Skye’s eyes on me, and I could sense all of the questions she had circling through her mind. But, thankfully, she chose to hold off on asking them.

As soon as I made it to The Crispy Catch, I hopped out of the car and strolled inside.

One sweep of the room, and my eyes landed on Shade. He was as cool as a cucumber, laughing as he sat across from Ocean.

I made a beeline straight for him, pulled him up, and wrapped him in the tightest hug I could manage. “Don’t ever scare me like that again.”

Slowly, his arms draped around me, but they came with no words. He just held me, and for a moment, that was all I needed. I just wanted to feel his heart beating near mine, confirming that he was nowhere near death.

“Baby, you good?” He finally whispered.

I stepped back and smacked my palms into his chest. “What the hell happened?”

“How about you sit and eat first?” he said calmly, pulling out the chair next to him.

Ocean stood too, offering Skye a warm look as he reached for the chair beside him. “Hey. I’m Ocean, Shade’s brother. I don’t think we’ve met yet.”